Carbon Supported Noble Metal (Pd and Au) Catalysts Synthesized by an Oxide Route with High Performance for Oxygen Reduction in Acidic Media

- Highly dispersed C/Pd and C/Au catalysts can be synthesized by reduction of hydrated oxides.
- These catalysts show significant performance for oxygen reduction relative to regular C/Pd and C/Au electrodes.
- Low peroxide yields are detected in deficiently reduced C/Pd containing Pd oxide.
- Interactions of Pd and Pd oxide decrease the peroxide yield.
- The overpotential for reduction of oxygen to peroxide on the highly dispersed C/Au is shifted to near-reversible conditions.